Cenotes Diving

The Cenotes are justifiably known as the jewel in the crown of Yucatan diving. Float in gin clear fresh water amongst stunning formations of stalagmites and stalactites, bathed in shafts of light filtering through the jungle canopy above.

Cenote diving is the highlight of any Mexico diving holiday. The chance to explore this incredible submerged limestone cave and cavern system is the reason so many divers head to this part of Mexico. Reached in just over an hour’s drive inland from Playa Del Carmen and about 30-40 minutes from Puerto Aventuras, the Cenotes is a vast network of subterranean rivers, caverns and sinkholes (cenotes) that extend literally for miles inland. Used as a source of fresh water by the ancient Maya, these distinctive geological formations offer some of the most exciting and unique diving to be found anywhere in the world.

Visibility in the crystal clear water here can reach in excess of 50m and the limestone structures are beautifully illuminated in parts by sunlight streaming through the jungle canopy above. Many of the dives here are better suited to the more advanced diver but even less experienced divers can also participate in this once in a lifetime experience as many of the cave systems have guide ropes to follow, in addition to your guide. The water is quite cool here (compared to the sea temperature). Divers will enjoy the sensation of haloclines, and the chance to take stunning photographs, in this sacred underworld of the ancient Maya civilisation.

Dos Ojos

At Cenote Dos Ojos (meaning ‘two eyes’ in Spanish) divers can follow one of two routes heading either west along the Barbie Line or south towards the Bat Cave. The caverns here are packed with exquisite stalactites and stalagmites, columns, curtains and ancient fossil formations. In the air-filled Bat Cave, divers can surface and view the tiny entry point that the original explorers used to access this ancient cave system.

Tajma Ha

Cenote Tajma Ha offers one of the most spectacular light shows of any of the caverns. Here, divers are led into an amazing air-filled cave known as the Points of Light Room, where light penetrates dramatically down from small holes in the ceiling like laser beams. Tajma Ha is adorned with thousands of stalagmite and stalactite formations. It also features a ‘trippy’ halocline tunnel, where the salt and fresh water mix to produce a unique visual effect.

Regaldive can arrange day trips to the Cenotes from both the Riviera Maya and Cozumel. Each trip offers two dives but there are literally hundreds of Cenotes to explore so be sure to leave yourselves enough time to fully take advantage of this incredible dive experience.